Huge setback for Mumbai Indians as star overseas pacer, who has troubled Kohli and Rohit, set to miss initial matches of IPL 2024 with injury

Ahead of the 17th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), five-time champions Mumbai Indians were dealt a huge blow with their star overseas pacer Dilshan Madhushanka declared injured by Sri Lankan Cricket (SLC) on March 17 (Sunday). The SLC announced that Madushanka will not feature in the remaining matches of Sri Lanka's tour of Bangladesh due to a left hamstring injury. The left-arm seamer sustained the injury during Sri Lanka's second ODI against Bangladesh.

ALSO READ: Sri Lanka Cricket appoints former Pakistan World Cup-winning speedster as national team's fast bowling coach until 2024 T20 World Cup

As a result of the injury, Madushanka is set to remain sidelined during the initial matches of the upcoming edition of the cash-rich tournament.

"Dilshan Madushanka will not further take part in the ongoing tour as the bowler will return to start rehabilitation work after suffering an injury during the 2nd ODI," SLC said in a tweet.

"Madushanka, who left the field during the second ODI while bowling, has suffered a left hamstring injury, as confirmed by an MRI scan performed on the player," the tweet added.

Huge blow for Mumbai Indians

Madushanka's injury comes as a significant setback to Hardik Pandya's Mumbai Indians. The 23-year-old left-arm pacer had made a huge impact in his brief international career so far. During the 2023 Asia Cup and the ODI World Cup, Madushanka looked a class apart and even troubled two of the best batters in the world - Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

ALSO READ: Yuzvendra Chahal's wife Dhanashree takes a stand against social media trolls, says ‘…just like your mother, sister’

Madushanka can swing the new ball at pace and he being a left-arm seamer adds the added element of surprise. Apart from being a lethal force with the new ball, the left-arm pacer boasts a ton of variation up his sleeves and his slower ones are both deceptive and a wicket-taking option. Madushanka also has a decent yorker in his arsenal, thus making him a multi-faceted bowler who can make an impact or change the complexion of a match at any stage.

ALSO READ: WATCH: MS Dhoni smashes massive sixes, including a one-handed six, during CSK practice match at Chepauk; video surfaces

Madhushanka's career so far

In the mini-auction held in December last year, Mumbai Indians forked out a sum of Rs 4.6 crore to acquire Madhushanka's services. The Sri Lankan speedster's record in white-ball cricket is excellent. In 23 ODIs, he has bagged 41 wickets at an economy rate of 5.89. In T20Is, Madhushanka has represented Sri Lanka in 14 matches, picking as many wickets at an economy rate of 9.41. 

 

MORE ON SPORTS TAK: 

IPL 2024: Major boost to KKR as franchise's superstar joins camp after missing the entire IPL 2023, set to leave an impression this season
Big News: IPL 2024's second half in UAE? Jay Shah breaks silence on glitzy league's venue shift